Conveyer



Nov. 9, 1943. H, w, HAPMAN CONVEYER Filed Jan. 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l IAN Cftornegs H. W. HAPMAN CONVEYER Filed Jan. 25, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 9, 1943.

Nov. 9, 1943. H, w. HAPMAN CONVEYER Tiled Jan. 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'attorneys and at the same time will be partially lforth in the preceding objects wherein Patented Nov. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE 2,333,926 f 7. s. y

YcoNvEYER l Henry W. Hapman, Detroit, Mich. Application January'zs, 1941, serial No. 375,946'- is claims. (o1. 74;-2303) This invention relates to conveyers.

One object of this invention is to provide a f conveyer for conveying powdered or granular material without the use of sprockets or sprocket chains and having automatic compensation for stretching, wear or temperature changesfof the conveyer. f

Another object is to provide a conveyer having an endless flexible connector with spaced flights thereon operating in a conduit system and supported at one or more locations by pulleys having inflatable liners in the pulley grooves so as to cushion and more rmly grip the conveyer flights, as well las automatically adjusting the conveyer to stretching, wear or temperature changes. Y

Another object is to provide a conveyer as set forth in the preceding objects wherein the infiatable liners are mounted upon pulleys having Vhalves rigidly mounted upon the supporting mechanism.

Another object is to provide a conveyer as set forth in the preceding objects wherein the space between the pulley disks or halves is occupiedby an inilatable liner having inwardly inclined annular' walls terminating in a iloating ring so that the endless conveyer flights will automatically adjust themselves to the most suitable positions encircled by the inflatable liner so that a very firm driving grip will be obtained thereon.

Another object is to provide a conveyer as set forth in the preceding objects wherein the invilatable liner is made of rubber-like material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, so that the noise of the conveyer is deadened and the Vibration electively cushioned during operation.

Another object is to provide a conveyer having an endless assembly of non-circular cross section supported at one or'more locations by a pulley having annular inatable liners engaging and firmly gripping the sides of the endless conveyer assembly, this assembly being preferably transversely elongated.

Another object is to provide a conveyer as set the endless conveyer assembly operates in a conduit systern and is supported at one end by a U-shaped conduit instead f a pulley.

In the drawings:

, Figure 1 is an axial section through a conveyer and supporting pulley of a preferredfembodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section,

of the pulley and conveyer shown in Figure 1.

. Figure is an axial section through a portion lendless conveyer in position wherein, ,able lines of yannular form valrefemployed to sup- .sists of an endless flexible flexible cable or chain carrying spaced disks,

of the pulley'shownin` Figure 1,'.but with thev endless conveyer unit removed.V U

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through a portion of one form ofi endless conveyer unit which may be employed Vin the conveyer, according to the invention.

Figure 5 isan axial section tion of the conveyer supporting pulley with the two inflatport and grip the endless conveyer unit.

Figure 6 is a side elevation, partlyk in section, of the conveyer and pulley shown inFigure 5.a 'f

Figure 'l isa side elevation', partly in section,.of a complete. conveyer according tothe present invention. f

Figure' is a Figure .17, employinga of a pulleyat oneend of the conveyer. p

, Figure'9 isan axial'section through a conveyer supporting pulley employing two 'annularainatablel liners and using a transversely elongated endless conveyer. .y

Figure 10 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the modification shown in Figure 9.;

Figure 1l is atop plan view-:oa portion of the transversely elongated endless conveyer yunit'used in the'modication of Figures 9 and Y10.` l

General arrangement l,

In general, the conveyer of this inventionconmembensuch asfa bars or other transverse members for conveying the material, and operating in a system of conduits of similar cross-section. The rendless conveyer unit is supported at one or more locations upon pulleys having vinflatable liners between the ipulleyA halves or disks. The latter, however, are rigidly mounted upon the supporting shaft and are not axially movable relatively to each other during operation.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures l to 3, the inflatableliner ispreferably of rubber-like material and 4occupies the space between the pulley halves near the peripheries thereof. The inner portion of this liner is of annular form and tapers inwardly' to a floating ring'whicli'is spaced apart from' the remainder of .the pulley so that it can moveinto an "eccentric iposition relatively to the axis of rotationancan generally adapt itself lto changes inthe driving conditions.` When the endless conveyer unit' is' in yposition inthe liner,I the latterispushed ,outwardly and partially encirclestheflights or disks side elevation of amodificationof through a modica- U-shaped conduit instead.

mounted on the endless connector of the conveyer, as shown in Figure 1. When the endless conveyer is removed, however, the liner walls move toward each other and have va substantially V-shaped cross section, -as shown in'Figf ure 3. Y

In the modification shown in Figures V and 6,

the pulley is provided with a pair of inflatablev liners of annular shape, gripping the opposite sides of the conveyer ,ilightsn Thek conveyer nights or disks mounted Yon the yendlessconnector'. such as a flexible metal cable, are of approximately circular cross section tion, asin the principal form shown in Figures In the modiilcation the pulley is provided shown in Figures 9 to 1l,

veyer unit, however, in this modiflcatiomistransversely elongated and is thereby `ai'lapt'ejl to coni -veyparticles of or in greater: quan-t titles than the preceding forms fof the` invention. formymoreover, operates in conduits. of

Arum-circular cross section. Theumodiflcatlon shown linl Figure 8` dispenses with one of the pulleys at one' end of the .con-

" veyer and; instead employs-ea'. U-.shaped conduit in whichthe conveyer f s Hithertmconveyers using endless flexible-mem.-

bers Vhave ordinarily..employed sprockets and sprocket chains Iorfsupporting kand driving the conveyer iights.-` In s'uch conveyers, the concentration of load upon Ythe sprocketiwteeth wndxlinks foi chain' have resultedinmrapid wearihigh upkeep cost, andv deterioration in the i presence of abrasive or corrosive materialsruuch 'conveyers have also-been every noisy in lopelraltiona'nd` have required frequent attentionfand take-up because of theftendencyof such conaveyersnto stretch. Y Other conveyers employing 4flexible `cables have z been'A subject to stretch to I'amuch greater extent, especially when they are rst put into use.

'In the conveyer of the presentinventiom-.however, the load istdistributed between all of the nights ofthe conveyer'whicnare in engagement "'wlth'the "-i'natable liners l.arranged between the Pulley halves-or disks. 'I'hisrconstruction". not

-only `cushions Athe endless conveyer .andl reduces noise and vibration, bt'also automatically takes upsretchor other 'changes vin length asA the 'conveyer is operated-,f including thermalexpan- 1Vor contraction 'resulting from weather changes.- The inflatable liners-also' partially ertfolliclev the mbn'veyerV :flights with' a grip' 'of inf oreased-'iorce-thereby reducing slippage Furthermore; the inflatable line'r construction off the present invention vabsorbs thel shock which `occurs when the 4loadwflrst comes on ther pulley,

thereby vgiving `a cusl'iioned or resilient enact.

this :manner thereiisfle'ss'jerking andfafmore Y even application of power in startingtheveyer. When the'load `thuscomes on tlrepulley, the air Tpressure "within" the liner, A particu- `lai'ly in V-the form'shown infliigures tof 3, will f be distributed throughout the'liner onopposite ,sides thereof, *thereby moving the' liner ring into eccentricityrelatively to Vthefdriving axis, since there is aload.V on one side `and relief on the other side.

neferrmgto the drawings im' detail, riguresi `to 4 and 7 showthe conveyersystem 'otthisinivention -as consistingof an endlessjconveyeraaf with a pairof inflatable liners as in Figures 5 and V6;v `The endlessioonin this modicajj,

sembly 4generally designated III (Figure 4), a pair of relatively straight conduits or pipes II and I2,

and a pair of end housings I3 and I4 containing the supporting and driving-pulleys generally designated I5. The straight/conduit I'I is provided with an inlet hopper I6 :and a discharge conduit I'I at opposite ends thereof.

The conveyer system shown in Figure 7, how- 'v ever, is a simplified showing fullling the minimumy 1requirements of` auchy -agcertvelyer.' It will be evident however, Ihat suchjagooiveyercsystem may` be partially horizontal and `partially yivertical or inclined, according to the particular requirements. Under these circumstances, it is usually necessary to provide more than two supporting pulleys,

in the conduits in order to change the direction yloi the :travelling portion of the conveyer sys- -ing hubs 21 `keyed as at tem. Such a bent conduit 4portion is shown in Figure 8, and may replace one of the end housings I3 or I4 andonevot the-pulleysli.

anchas amnthle 'joined by snuit cmmemr connector, may be ot nommairesin, .or thelikewhen corrosive materials are to be conveyeor they may consist 4ot fmetal covered by suchy rcorrosionresistingmaterials.

Theconveyer nichten are spaced `Wart .from one another by tubularr-spacersll ot: mbberslike material, such as synthetic gresin,v .and-"have internal boren. throughV which theenible connector `or .cable 20 passes. In place of the cable 20,3a chammay also `be used. Inassembly, the :spacers vare preferablyrcoinpressed longitudinally as .therme *mountedalternately witlitthedlight `2| upon'the .nexiblecable 120. The freelendso! the nexib yConnector 20 arersplid y0.1' Joined by 'a 01111D1111: `,withtheg-ilnal flight 1I; `s'epmted,tromits aditlengthwise, forced: inta cemented in place and tapedthereby becoming compressed v longitudinally alongy with `the otherspacen-ZS." Thus, when the iexible` connector--29 stretches during the earlygportion 0i' ,its working life, the compressed rubber-like spacers ,2i-also expand Alongitudinally and maintain complete. cover-any1 the ilexible connector 2a. f

.'I'hus, the ilexible connector III' is completely with the materials be `ing conveyed., and vice yema, so `that neither the other. vThe conprotected from contact can attack or contaminate veyorunitI 0 and-.the'method `of mkng ,thesame are disclosed and claimedinmyzeo-pendmggp. plication Serial No. 375,945, Iliad, January, 35, 1941. Themodiled form or conveyer :domed in Figures 9 and 10 hereinis describedV and prima;`

Anif The pulleys port and drive the travellinglijefunlt'rll consists of pulley dlsksor halvesmand havn'toitsanaft a aan having bores 30 for reoeivingitlshaftfm isxprovided With arkeyway Ilifflieeem keys 28. 'I'he pulley halvclland curedto onefanother: ininp miz'bteeg or else to provide bent portions shown). Mvlmted natunalorvaynthetic rubber or ls (Figures 1 tefwwhiiifmp ihe 4by the lbolts 32 passing through the holes '33 in rthe webs thereof. f The 'pulley' shaft, 29 l is journaled in a bearing 34 mounted upon supports 35 (Figure "1) and bolted'thereto as 'at 36.

The pulley halves or disks 25 and 26 are provided at their peripheries with oppositely bent vportions 31 and 38 forming an annularchamber or groove 39. Mounted within thisr chamber.V or groove 39 is an inflatable liner generally designated 40 and consisting of an ,outer wall 4I and an inner wall 42 secured as at 43 to the peripheries of the'portions 31 and 38. The ,peripheral edges. of the liner portions or walls 4I and 42 are covered 'and vprotected by the peripheral flanges 44. These extend toward one another and also serve as guides for the travelling conveyer unit IU when the latter is dropped into position.

The inner wall 42 of the inflatable liner 48 'is approximately V-shaped in cross-section vin the absence of the conveyer unit I (Figure 3) and terminates in a floating ring 45 which is normally spaced apart from contact with the pulley halves 25 or 26. The inflatable liner 4I is inflated by means of a hollow flanged'nipple 46 passing through the side wall 31 of the pulley half 25 and secured thereto by the nut 41. Ring 45 has split joints 45a.

The inflatable liner 4D is preferably made of rubber-like material, such as natural or synthetic rubber or synthetic resin, and is inflated by cbmpressed air or other` suitable gas. Wheny so inflated, the walls 42 of the liner 4D are pushed inwardly so that they partially encircle the conveyer flights 2I (Figure 1). This gives avery powerful driving grip and at the same time cushions the conveyer system against the lshock of starting and also' against noise and vibration.

In the modification shown in Figures and 6, the pulley halves and 26 are substantially the same as those in Figure 1 except :that theyare preferably provided with central flanges 48 forming an annular ridge. Mounted within theannular peripheral groove 39 on each side of the central Vannular flanges 48 is an inflatable liner 49 having an outer wall 50 and an inner wall 5I forming an extension thereof and secured to each other and to the peripheries of the pulley halves 25 and 26 by the bolts 43 as before.y The peripheral flanges 44 also serve to cover `the otherwise exposed edges of the inflatable liner 49, which, as before, is of rubber-like material such as natural or synthetic rubber or synthetic resin.

In the modification of Figure 5, the inflatable liners 49 are thus independent of one another and are inflated by means of hollow flanged nipples 52 secured to the pulley portions 31 and 38 by the nuts 53.

The modification shown in Figures 9 to 11 is similar to that shown in Figures 5 and 6, except that the pulley halves 25 and 26 are separated axially and mounted in spaced relationship along the shaft 29. The flanged vportions 48 may be provided as in Figure 5 or a retain- Ving ring 54 may be secured as at 55 to the webs of the pulley halves or disks 25 and 26 in order to hold the inflatable liners 49 in their proper positions. The remainder of the pulley in Figures 9 and 10 is similar to that of Figures 5 and 6.

The modification of Figures 9 toll, however, is intended to employ a transversely elongated travelling conveyer unit 56 (Figures 9 andfll) consisting of U-shapedlinks 51 bent as at 58 to maintain their free ends 59 substantially in alignment when they are-pivotally secured as at.V 691:0 the closed ends 6I.V The latter serve as transverse partitions and also as pushers for the Amaterial being conveyed. The travelling conveyer `unit 56 moves in a conduit of substantially the same elongated cross section, rather than the substantially circular cross section employed by the travelling conveyor unit I0 with its circular flights 2l. The modified pulley of Figures 9 and 10 is not necessarily confined to use withk the exact type of endless conveyor shown in Figurev l1. Obviously, any other suitable conveyer unit may be used therewith and not merely the drag type shown. employs a U-shaped conduit 63 at one end of the conveyerfinstead of a pulley I5.

` Operation v In the operation of the conveyer system of this invention, one or more of the pulleys i5 is driven by applying power to the shaft 29. The frictional engagement between the inner walls 42 or 5| of the inflatable liners 49 or 49 furnishes a powerful grip upon the travelling conveyer units IVD or 59, causing them to be moved in their orbitalk paths and thereby conveying the materials dropped into the hopper I6 through the conduit I I and out through theA conduit l1. y

Thehoilow liners 46 or 49 .are inflated to a pressure which isrsuitable for the conditions of conveying, so that a firm grip is maintained upon the travelling conveyer unit Ill or 56. The distance between the shafts 29 at the opposite ends of the conveyer is made such that the conveyer unit I0 or 49 will occupy a position nearer the bottom ofthe groove 39 when the conveyer is first put into operation. As the flexible connector 20 stretches during its early life, the lengthening thereof is automatically taken up by the inflatable liners 48 and 49, which force the conveyer flights 2l or links A5l ripheral flanges 44.' On rthe other hand, if low temperaturecr other conditions bring about a contraction of the flexible connector 29, the travelling conveyer unit Ell moves to a position nearer the shaft 29, as shown in Figure l. A

When the conveyer is started in operation, the shock of the load is immediately absorbed by the inflatable liner through its engagement with the conveyer flights 2i Aor links 51. This results in a yielding which serves to cushion the mechanism against jerksand which also prevents vibration, When lthe load is applied in this manner to one side of the pulley, the air pressure v up on the other side and acts cn all of' the flights or links in contact with the liner unlike a sprocket andsprocket chain installation, the load is distributed over many points in the pulley and not concentrated at the entering tooth of the sprocket. Furthermore, when the load comes on the floating ring l5 (Figures l and 3), the latter is capable of iyielding in a transverse direction and of coming to rest centric to the axis of the shaft 29. In this manner the pulley and travelling conveyer unit are self-aligning and self-adjusting with. respect to each other. Furthermore, the conveyer flights 2l orlinks 5'! engage the liner walls 42 or 5! at different locations during different revolutions of the pulleys l5, hence the wear on the liners is distributed and not rigidly concentrated at the same points, as in the case of the sprocket-teeth and sprocket chain links of prior art conveyers.

As previously stated, the spacers 23 of the travellingfconveyer units I0 are assembled in a state The modification of Figure 8 n Aoutwardly toward the peis built walls. Thus,

temporarily in a position ecof the pulleys I5.

ot compression. Asthefflexililecable 28 stretches dringrthe' early portion' ofrits operatingjlife, therefore; the tubular spacers' 23 expand'longitudinally yto compensate foratheistretch. or! the cable, due to the-fact ber-like material. A Y. Y i .Y

The operationfoi' thefmodication of Figures and v6 is similar Jto thatof Figures l'togexcopt that they are madeot rubthat the floating ring!!! lsabsent and its l'ei'rect consequently lacking. The pressure on 1 the opposite walls 5| of tne liners isfis'also not equalized as in the case of the form shownin Figurel,

f since there are two separate inflatable liners; It

will Abe understood,` however, thatthe two. liners 4can be interconnected hya.` conduitk extending between the two hollownipples 52, as through the webs of the pulley halves and 26.

The operation of the modification shownin Figures9 to 11 is likewise similar to thatoi'lthe modification shown in Figures and 6. The endg in a woodworking establishment.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, ityvillV be understood that various modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention;V

What I claim is: 1. A pulley for Ilexible conveyers comprising a substantially circular pulley body having an annular groove, inwardly directed peripheral recesses formed therein,A and hollow inatable liner means of rubber-like materialhaving the peripheral edge secured to the inner walls of said peripheral recess in engagement with the con- 2. A pulley for flexible conveyers comprising shaft means, a plurality of pulley halves xedly secured to saidshaft means, said pulley halvesV having inwardly directed axially extending peripheral portions, and hollow inflatable liner su means of "rubber-like material having its pe* ripheral portion secured Vto the inner walls vof said peripheral portions of said pulley halves for engagement with the conveyer.

3. A pulley for iiex'ble conveyers comprising a pair of pulley disks having yinwardly extending 'l peripheral portions forming `an annular'V recess,

and a hollow iniatableliner of rubber-like in a-r terial anchored in said recess, to theinwardly extending peripheral portions.

4. A pulley for iiexible conveyors comprising a. plurality of pulley disks having oppositely` extending peripheral portions forming an annular recess, `ahollow inilatable liner` of rubberflike f material secured in saidrrecess with its walls extending inwardly toward the axis of rotation thereof, and an annular member encircling said axis of rotation and engaging said inflatable liner.

5. A pulley for ilexible conveyers comprising a plurality of pulley disks having oppositely'fextending peripheral portions forming an annular recess. a hollow inflatable liner of rubber-like material secured in said recess with its walls extending inwardly towardthe axisof rotation thereof. and a freely oating annular member encircling 75 fiatahle'. liner foi'.

a 'substantially circular iaid of: rotation` and 'engaging ma innatahl'e liner ati mlocatlm -`of nearest approach vtofsaid axisoifrotatlomi f l l f6.1A pulleyfior exiblaconveyerc. comprimi substantially circularpulley body `with anannilar v recess inthe penphcrylthereoi, `and `a hollow notable? :liner section securedin saldremos.

f; i fliimneiy -rorfncxxbie comme compl-isi subotantlally circular puiieybodywith an 'emilia' I recess inthe periphery periphery thereof, a. `hoilllvim amroximatelyU-shaped cross section' :secured 1in said recess; Vandi alreeiy'iioatingannularmemher encircling said lim-.rand mgaging'itsinner wallet the linelornearestfapc proachto theY axis of rotation of the: pulley.' n

lar recess in the 9.V A :pulley` ;for; nexihiei conveyers e'zomplisingia.

substantially circular. pulleyibody with an recess inthe periphery, thereof, and'a'hollowin@ at'able liner-i with itsrouterwall secured `in said recess and its inner wallnoocuredtoaidouter wally and pulley body 'adiacenti they periphery thereorand extending :inwardly'towardV the: 'axis ofrotation of said'pulley.` 4

10. .A pulley for yflexible'.conveyors y ndy'with an )ne 'a substantially circular pulley. nular` recess 1in the-periphery thereof; and which low. inatabiefliner with 4iteouter. wall Ysecured in said recess and its innenlwallsccured'to said outer wall Y and pulley bodyalalijaccnt the periphery thereof and extending inwardly-toward theftxis of rotation ofsaid pulley, saidpulley body having peripheral...'dangerk extending toward each other .overtime edges of. said e y tectfsaid linerwalledzes. y, y v s 11. 'Apuil'eyior'ilexible conveyers c l substantially circulan-pulley body 'with an aminlar recess inthe periphery mereonanollowinlatablc liner with .ltsfouter wall secured infsaid recessy and its :inner wall wall and .ipulley body adjacent the periphery thereoffand extendingA inwandly toward of rotation of saidpulley, and.; rring .spaced *part 1fromVV said Vpulley andy encirclingk theV inner wallet said innatablealiner at its :.nearest approacnlto the axis of rotation of said pulley. f ...12;Apulley for nexibleconveyers compridn n" substantially circular'pulley bodywith an an..

nular recess in the periphery thereof, and.: pair of hollowfinilatable pulley liners of approximately triangularcross section mounted die opposite lateral .walls ot slid pulleybody recess.

l3.,A pulley for exible asubstantiaily; circular pulley body with anarnularifrecessin'the periphery thereof, awpotrnt hollow "inflatable pulley liners' of J appmximwtely triangular cross section mounted y opposite lateral-walls otsaid pulley body'recc,

'and a projection extending between 'said pulley `to 'maintain liners in said 'resswhereby liners in spacedfrelationship. A 14; A vpuileyifor flexible conveyerscomprising pulley annular.; reoem: inf. the. periphery thereof, a pair of hollow infilata. pulleyslinem of l triangular cross opposite` lateral and' means said liners., y

section mounted 'adjacent the of approximatelyv u-chapertvcxoV and 'an annular mem- 4iveyel l Inga `sulminimally circular pulley bodyf with anwamu liner walls whereby to secured: to andeutet Acnnireyers c adiacenti die f walls of said pulley `lccdylxfecess,

15. A pulley for iiexible conveyers comprising a pair of pulley halves mounted in spaced relationship, said pulley halves having axially offset peripheral portions, and hollow inflatable liners disposed in said olset portions for engagement with the conveyer 16. A pulley for flexible endless conveyers of elongated cross section comprising a pair of axially-spaced pulley halves having offset annular peripheral portions facing one another, and a pair of annular hollow inflatable liners secured respectively to the inner peripheral Walls of said offset4 portions of said pulley halves for engagement with said conveyer,

1'7. A pulley for exible conveyers comprising a pair of pulley halves mounted in spaced relationship, said pulley halves having axially offset peripheral portions, and hollow inflatable liners disposed in said offset portions for engagement with the conveyer, said hollow inflatable liners being of substantially triangular cross section.

1.8. A pulley for flexible conveyers comprising a pair of pulley halves mounted in spaced relationship, said pulley halves having axially offset peripheral portions, hollow inflatable liners disposed in said oiset portions for engagement with the conveyer, said hollow inflatable liners being of substantially triangular cross section, and annular retaining portions secured to said pulley halves adjacent said liners.,

HENRY W. HAPMAN. 

